"Here you go, Skimmer." a voice said, echoing in the hollowed rock.

The sound of heavy furs thudding upon the ground followed the announcement and Skimmer knew at once who had addressed him.

"Thanks, Tam." he said, peeking at her from behind the space of a smooth outcrop.

"No worries." she answered, strolling into the new den. "It looks good. Very spacious. It was clever of you to think to shape this rock patch into a den for yourself."

He blushed, shyly. "T-...thanks."

"Are you finished?"

"Just about." he said, placing his hands upon the cool craggy walls, bending them to his will with the mere touch of his thoughts. She watched in silent awe as he structured his new abode to his liking, his fingers moving along the cave's expanse as tenderly as he would stroke the body of a lover. She sighed.

"There. I think that does it!" he proclaimed, interrupting her in her thoughts. "What do you think?"

Quietly, the maiden surveyed the den, gazing at the walls and columns as though she had a trained eye for the task. She murmured softly, sometimes, appreciatively as she moved about. Finally, after having her fill of the room she said, "I think you will like your new den."

He grinned, impishly and scratched at the back of his head. "Yeah, but it'll be the first time that I'll be denning alone. That's going to take some getting used to."

"Why don't you take mate." she suggested. "You've never had one as far as I can tell."

He blushed at the acknowledgement of his virginal innocence. "Well, there aren't that many maidens to choose from right now."

"Well, how about Badger?"

"She doesn't share."

"What about Evenstar?"

He grunted.

"Willowshade?"

"She's caught up with Windspirit?"

"Tuftcat?"

"Same thing."

She giggled. "Well, what about Windspirit?"

He all but growled at that. "Windspirit is handsome, but his pleasures do not interest me. I prefer a maiden's touch."

"You do? But, how do you know?"

"I just do." he said with certainty.

She sighed. "Well, your options are a bit strained, I'm afraid. Who else is there?"

"...what about...you?"

Her cheeks flushed a bright red. "Me? But, you know that I'm Midnight's furmate."

"Furmate? Not..."

"No. I am not the one who holds his heart." she admitted, sadly. "He loves me no more or less than a tribesmate has love for his folk."

"And, that's okay with you?"

"I suppose not." she whispered. "But, for now, it will have to do. I'll find my beloved one day."

"Why not today?" he asked, coming to stand beside her. "Why not me?"

She grinned, a mix of playfulness and remorse lacing her smile. "Because you didn't ask me." she said, trotting out of the den and skipping away. Skimmer watched her go, the delightful way her skirt swayed against her form and the way the wind blew her soft, crimson locks about her. He wanted her, not just as a furmate, but as a lovemate. He wanted to know her touch her smile, what made her happy, what made her sad, what made her spirit soar. He wanted to know it all, to feel it all. to have it all. He wanted all of her, wanted to be everything to her and now, he was determined to show her just what things stirred within his heart.